Headgear



Patented Feb. 15, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HEADGEAR Francis D. Huntsman, Salt Lake City, Utah Application May 29, 1945, Serial No. 596,461 3 Claims. (01. 2-8) This invention relates to means for adjusting the size of bands of headgear constituting carriers of eye, face, and headprotectors, and the like, so that the gear may be made to conform comfortably and securely to heads of different perimeters.

It is an object of the invention to provide simple and reliable means by which size adjustments of headgear of that kind may be made easily and quickly. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide means for securely holding the bands in adjustment.

When considered with the description herein, characteristics of the invention are apparent in the accompanying drawing, in which an adaptation suitable for carrying shields of the welders type is disclosed for purpose of exemplification.

Like reference-characters refer to corresponding parts in the views of the drawing, of whichi Fi Fig. Fig. Fig.

1 is a plan view;

2 is a view of a loop form of slide;

3 is a section on line 33, Fig. 2;

4 is a view of another form of slide; 5 is a section on line 5-5, Fig. 4;

6 is a view of the gear in elevation;

Fig. 7 is a view ofv another form of slide;

Fig. 8 is an edge view thereof;

Fig. 9 is a view of lapped end portions of a band and of parts associated therewith;

Fig. 10 is a section on line llll0, Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of lapped portions of one of the bands.

The headgear shown by the drawing comprises a head encircling band l2 and a crown band I3. The latter band is fixed at its ends to the band l2 at diametrically opposite places thereon. Both bands have substantially parallel edges. They contact the head of the wearer when in use, and the crown band keeps the head band at the proper place on the head.

These bands may be of sheet metal or other suitable material. As now is conventional in the art, they may be made of compressed sheet fiber material, which is of light weight and is sufi'iciently stiff and strong for the purposes intended, and yet is susceptive of enough fiexure for the bands to conform to the heads ofusers.

Each band is split and has an inner portion l4 and an outer end portion l5 that overlaps the inner portion.

The outer end portion of each band is formed with a plurality of aligned and spaced holes or seats ii, any one of which is engageable by a stud or projection ll fixed to the inner band ortion near its end and projects outwardly therefrom.

The inner portion M of a band is formed at its end with integral finger pieces l8, which project .laterally beyond the edges of the lapping outer portion l'5.

A slide member I9 is fixed on the lapping portion l5 of each band, preferably at or near the end thereof, in order to maintain that portion close to the inner portion M on which the member is slidable. The slide member I9 may be a continuous loop-like fiat structure that entirely surrounds the portions 14 and I5, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3.

It also may have a plate or web 20, with backturned end parts 2| disposed over the edges and extending adjacent to the inner surface of the inner portion, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5.

A slide member 22 is movable along both band end portions l4 and I5 between the slide member l9 fixed to the outer portion and the terminal of the inner portion [4. The member 22 may be of substantially the same form as the member l9; that is, like the forms shown by Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5. It also may be as shown by Figs. 9 and 11, or as shown by Figs. 7 and 8.

As seen in Figs. 7 and 8, the member 22 comprises a plate or web 23, with back-turned end parts 24 disposed over the edges and extending adjacent to the inner surface of the inner band portion 14.

Normally, the stud or projection I! of one band end portion is in retentive engagement with a hole or seat l'6 of the other band end portion.

The slide member 22, when close to the stud or projection, keeps the two band ends close together and the pin or projection H from displacement from a hole or seat l6. Although the member 22 is slidable on the band, it is proportioned with respect to the band so that it frictionally is retained in the position to which it is moved.

In order that the slide member 22 may have position as close as practicable to the stud or projection I! and thus more reliably keep the latter in a hole or seat, that member is formed so that parts thereof may assume place beyond or straddling the stud or projection.

For that purpose, the elements of the member that are disposed over the edges of the inner band portion M are cut back, as seen in Fig. 9, as at 25, to permit end parts of the slide to go over the finger pieces l8 and to straddle the stud or projection I! as seen in Fig. 11.

Moreover, for thesame purpose, the plate of the slide may have an open-ended slot 26 to receive the pin, as seen in Fig. 7.

When it is desired to alter the size of either band of the headgear, the slide member 22 is moved away from the stud or projection i? enough for end part of the inner portion is to be flexed. Then that part is free to be flexed inwardly (that is, away from the outer band portion I5) by fingers grasping the finger pieces 58 to release the stud? or projection it from engagement with the h'oleor seat I S in which it has been disposed. Upon release, the lapping portions of the band may be given relative movement by hands grasping the finger pieces and the slide member 19, to increase or decrease the size of the band. When adjustment isrmad'e', the

stud or projection 11 is pulled bythefingerpieces into engagement with a hole or seat iii, if the spring urge of the inner band does do that; The slide 22 then is moved back to its engagement retaining position at the studor projection.

Usually the headgear has pivots: 2'5: at the di-- ametricaliy oppositeplaces otju-ncture of the head and crown'bands, for the mounting thereon oil a head shield,-eye shield, or other headcarried device.

I claim;

L'In" headgearv of. the. character described, a head contacting bandi comprising lapping flexible' inner: and outer end portions slidable one against the other, one of said portions having a series of spaced seats, a stud on the other. of said. portions to selectively engage said seats, a laterally projecting finger piece on said studcarrying portion near said, stud, a slide member fixed to one or said'portions near its. end and havingparts between which the other of said portions is slidabie; and" another member for holding said inner and outer band portions together and slidable'thereon' between said stud and fixed slidemember" to and'from its holding positiomin transverse a'lihement'with the stud.

2. In headgearof the character described, a head contactingbandcomprising lapping flexibleinner and outer end portions sli'dable one against the other; oneof" said portions having a series of spaced seats, a stud on the other of said portions to selectivel engage said seats, a slide member fixed on one of said portions near its end and having parts between which the other of said portions is slidable, and another member for holding said inner and outer band portions together and slidable thereon between said stud and fixed slide member, said latter member including a web portion overlying said outer end portion and having a slot therein: positioned to receive said stud when ih liolding position.

3. In headgear of the character described, a head contacting band comprising lapping flexible inner and outer end portions slidable one against the other, one of said portions having a series of"spaced seats; a stud on the other of said portions taselectively, engage said seats, a laterally projecting fihger piece on said stud-carrying portion .near said stud, a slide member fixed to one of said portions near its end and having parts, between which; theoth'er. of; said.- portions issl-ida-ble'; and-another member for holdingsaid' inner and outer; bandportions-together and-slid able; thereon toand-frozn said-..stud, said latter, member comprising: a-pl'ate havingopposedfiange portions disposed over the edges of the bandend. portions. and; extending adjacent.- to. the. inner surface. of the innerband portion and; one ofsaid flange portions being cut away in; the: provision.

of an elongated slot for receiving?saidfinger piece whemsaid latter member. isin holdingiposition,.

FRANCIS D.

REFERENCES CITED The following; references are offrecord imthe file: off this patent? UN'I'IEDRSTAIES PATENTS v Date 18,288. 'GreatBritain v Nov. L3; 1890 

